Air France Airbus A350 vs Boeing 787 Business Class: Which is Best?

It's a battle as old as time. AIrbus vs Boeing. But which has the best business class in Air France's fleet? I took a flight to Cairo to find out.
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[@davidcole333]

The gate access from the lounge is a game changer. Absolutely the right way to do it.

[@AMSHIKATA]

At IST TK domestic lounge you can do the same. Looking forward to trying in September.

[@Warmachine_23]

I've heard Lufthansa also does this in Boston.

[@garynorman]

Emirates have direct gate access from the business class lounge in Dubai, via dedicated lifts.

[@Coolsomeone234]

​@@garynormanEmirates also has it at several other locations such as Perth or Brisbane

[@Ryuuranger]

Also in Frankfurt Airport has that as well

[@phunning]

Air France's business class catering is severely underrated. I think it's some of the best in the sky.

[@TheLilmike248]

*Delta enters the chat*

[@Mph_cars]

Yeah, I’m going to Cairo from Heathrow in September to look the Gumball 3000, and I have chosen to go af business class with 1 stop at Paris, instead of going ba business class because of how shit ba’s is, and how amazing af is

[@Mph_cars]

Plus you get a 787 with af, whereas an a320 with ba

[@fraerot]

Then you havent flight Business enough

[@marcelzech6879]

Fully agree!!!😊😊😊

[@roryrinebold9945]

Getting a peek of the vintage AirCal livery 737 was a 1980's treat .

[@paulomendes928]

Hi Noel, I think the socks are a nice touch. Considering airplanes are filthy, I always put on the socks in order to protect my own socks from contact with the floor. At the end of the flight I just put the socks in the trash! Thats it. I find it to be very helpful.

[@ljacobs357]

Airplanes are not filthy.

[@deannaleclerc5749]

​@ljacobs357 ya let's use a blacklight on the floors and bathroom walls. They never wash that shit

[@ericr2409]

Those socks won't help with those filthy toilet floors. Slippers which are given protect more against dirty floors. Unfortunately exactly the same slippers are being removed by more and more airlines "to reduce waste" better to say to save bit of money. Before with Air France you got the slippers together with a shoebag. Very useful...

[@mikeroberts4593]

Maybe it's a new movie idea... socks on a plane? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@TheUtuber999]

Maybe it's just me, but I *always* wear shoes when leaving my seat to walk around or use the lavatory. It's only ever down to just socks when seated.

[@fleishum]

As far as I'm concerned both business classes were great. The greatest perk had nothing to do with Air France, Boeing, or Airbus. Rather, the hotel assisting you in obtaining your visa and getting through immigration was invaluable. I can still remember years ago having to get a visa on arrival in Paraguay. It was not my idea of fun as it approached midnight.

[@fabianno7679]

I agree. I look at it as, how much is your time worth. You only get X amount of time. I would not want to be cheap and waste several hours when i could have paid a few dollars and speed right through the line.

[@CricketEngland]

Your putting your life at risk these days travelling anywhere on a Boeing aircraft, stick with Airbus in my view

[@CallieMasters5000]

Whenever somebody says "This service is complimentary from me", that's usually followed by "but tips are appreciated" or you probably should give him a tip. That was great service from start to finish on this trip.

[@darrelb4371]

I'm glad to see someone else excited about watching the sun never set on a North Atlantic flight. I saw this for myself the first time I flew to Europe in May 2010. We flew more northerly than normal due to the exploding volcano in Iceland.

[@mclarenF1race]

That's what I love about Hong Kong airport... free water stations every 100 yards or so! 👌 Cheers for the excellent content Noel 🙂

[@Fakub21]

yess same goes for HNL

[@karolgyore7082]

Noel saying that the flight to Egypt will probably take 5-6 hours and it taking only under 4 hours really got me!😂

[@noelphilips]

Also known as, I’m a dumba$$ 😂

[@baz0786]

​@@noelphilips have you and your family moved to America permanently?

[@TravelAnorak]

He's also given about three different figures for his height 🙂

[@ianmarkham149]

@@noelphilips you're British. You're not a dumba$$. A tw@ perhaps!! 😆

[@Tom-sg4iv]

@@baz0786yes, there is a full video about it

[@lincroyableprocrastinateur5414]

Ok, boarding the plane from the lounge is amazing! I'm so damn jealous but also glad for the people who get to experience it.

[@michaelj3282]

Last time I was in O'Hare was in February, I left Dubai, temp was around 28c (82f), when I landed there was an ice storm, my connecting flight to Dallas was cancelled and the temp outside was -24c (-11f), probably the biggest temp difference I ever did. And, being a Geordie, I don't posses a coat.

[@sainnt]

I flew on a Qatar Airways 787-9, and it was equipped with cameras. Air France has always been consistent with their service. They're sometimes really good and sometimes average, but they're rarely bad.

[@lanamoffett953]

Working in aviation you'd think I'd get enough of planes but I'm absolutely hooked on your videos, great work, keep them coming ❤

[@noelphilips]

Glad you like them!

[@davetissue]

i've always thought those socks are for putting over your own socks so you can move about in the cabin without needing to put shoes or slippers on and don't have to worry about getting your socks dirty

[@sancalisto2371]

Correct. (And also as a courtecy to fellow passengers when smelly shoes are off.)

[@killerqueen9298]

Hi Noel. Great video again as usual. Amenity kits started giving socks years ago. I got my first in 2015 from Virgin Atlantic and they were compression socks to try to avoid DVT. But these days airlines seem to have gone cheap with thin socks. Keep up the good works😊😊

[@Fatladtofitlad]

Love the A350. Took a return flight to Lima from Madrid on Iberia on one and loved the plane. So comfy and quiet. Another great video mate, keep em coming

[@woodie70hudson87]

So much fun watching your videos! I'm 6' 4 myself so I can appreciate when you talk about extra leg room, most planes aren't configured for tall people. So keep them coming and I'll keep watching and hitting that "like" button!!!😁👍👍👍

[@noelphilips]

Thank you!

[@BaMb1N079]

The pen. Do you hear me, Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates....THE PEN! At least something useful in that kit from AF! Great Video, Noel! Thx a lot!

[@volvodadfast]

Nicely thought out video. I hope you do more of these. Perhaps next time, you can also compare noise levels, cabin altitude and humidity. BTW, the gain on the 2 pieces of music early in the video were a bit high. Thanks again for the great video.

[@nyx5605]

Merci pour la vidéo que j'attendais le plus! Continuez comme ça!

[@michaelk9350]

Noel: I really enjoy your travel videos. I have stayed at the Istanbul Yotel at the new airport as well. They have slatted windows overlooking the departure check-in. Great option, especially if you have too tight a connection to try to go into the city to spend the night. Thanks again .. cheers!

[@TravellingHills1745]

Great video Noel, for me it will have to be the A350 as my favourite, although i think airlines and their staff can influence any decision by how good they make your experience once on board.

[@RobinsVoyage]

8:35 socks in amenities kit. Flight attendants i know are often horrified at passengers who take their shoes off and gi barefoot, because the carpets are "disgusting." So tye airline puts socks in the amenities kit to allow you to be more comfortable but safe from evil foot pathogens hiding in the carpet. Btw that food looked amazing!

[@kennethbell54]

The socks are probably to stop people rubbing their shoes on the side of the aircraft like he did.

[@scottgfx]

I have a similar kit from American Airlines. I wondered what the socks were for. Before I really looked at them, I thought they might be for your arms.

[@accountnumber90]

I've never flown on a 787, but the A350 is a joy to fly on. By far my favorite plane.

[@kjocle2025]

my dad swears that the 777 is better than the A350 and 787.. only ever been able to compare the boeings myself, never flown on the A350

[@marcusstingl8921]

@@kjocle2025 the 777 is by far the loudest aircraft regarding interior noise engines/aircon

[@sebastianchristensen3386]

I think if you comment on something on one aircraft you should do the same on the other. I like the way the shades work on the 787 much better than the paper shades on the a350. I do honestly think both aircraft are great, but why isn’t the a350 compared to the 777 more?

[@EDavis-iw4zc]

Boeing all the way.

[@CricketEngland]

@@EDavis-iw4zc Your putting your life at risk these days travelling anywhere on a Boeing aircraft, stick with Airbus in my view

[@Jaco_and_Monique]

Enjoyed flying on both. I am a big Boeing fan. But the 350 I rode in was 3 months old. Fantastic experience… 350 by a hair.

[@benjamintomassennordahl7911]

Don't think I have seen a better advertisement for a hotel in my life. They fixed the visa for you before you arrived.

[@_tm11]

Looking really sharp in the blue, Lord Noel! Thank you as always, I always prefer the Airbus personally.

[@lflinares]

I did the lounge to plane boarding in Dulles flying KLM in 2014 when I went to Toulouse to cover Airbus Innovation Days. I agree that more airlines should have this boarding perk!

[@mikewyatt4788]

That boarding from the lounge is such a good idea !

[@Turtleanju]

Another great video as always Noel thanks for the content, with love from Houston!

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@danielcoa2189]

Entertaining and informative as usual! I agree that a clean white fuselage works well on the A350- especially if combined with bold, vibrant colours on the tail and logo. For me, Ethiopian is the pick of those with that scheme. I think Asiana has the best A350 livery in general.

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Hi Noel! Thanks so much for your vlog! The A350 looks absolutely amazing! I would, however, love to see your comments on the return journey in economy class! I'd also love to know how much your hotel in Paris cost! Love to you and the family ❤ Claire, Berlin

[@Clementinee]

The Delta Sky Club in Chicago is awesome!!! The best domestic lounge I've ever been to. Really happy you enjoyed most of your experience at O'Hare, it's notorious but it's been improving slowly

[@natescott9535]

Nice video! Your content has helped me get over a fear of flying. Thanks man!

[@noelphilips]

Glad to hear it!

[@djsconsulting]

Thanks for the entertaining and informative videos. I've been a frequent flyer myself for the last 30 yrs. I'm now Platinum for Life with AF/KLM so I took particular interest in this video. By coincidence I flew the same flight myself about 1 month ago in Business class from Chicago to Paris. I was in the same lounge and I'm kicking myself as I had no clue that they had a dedicated boarding. I left the lounge and walked round to the gate ! I have a comment on your comparison. For me the comfort/enjoyment of a flight depends on 1) seat design, 2) crew attitude/service & 3) plane type in that order. As far as I know, the airlines basically buy an empty shell off Boeing or Airbus and they specify what ever layout and seats they want using the various suppliers of airline seats. I would agree with you that the seats on your Paris to Cairo were better BUT I don't think that is anything to do with Boeing or Airbus. It's simply whatever Air France specified when that plane was fitted out. Your question can only really be answered if you flew in a Boeing and Airbus with exactly the same seat type ? Personally I've flown in nearly all types of aircraft including the Comet and Concorde. For me the seat and service win out, I don't really care who makes the plane ! By the way, you should try AF LaPremier in the 777 - an amazing service. Only 4 seats and the on the ground service is second to none !

[@endlesspower8135]

Total agree. And yeah, la première rules !!!!!

[@jamessaunders5195]

Another fantastic video Noel!

[@callumjb7668]

I just can't get enough of your videos! :)

[@noelphilips]

Glad you like them!

[@lucasn1683]

Yeah, im now very jealous of your ORD experience, when we flew IcelandAir in Saga Premium all lounges at ORD were closed coz the terminal we were flying out of was fully being renovated or smth that sort. 😂

[@c0smoKram3r]

Every livery looks great on the beautiful a350! That being said the Dreamliner looked great in that Air France livery too!

[@David-nx2vm]

Boarding from the Delta Sky Club at O’Hare was quite a thing. Not having to leave early to do the elephant walk the length of the terminal? A tip of the hat to the architect…

[@xkristianx4747]

Lovely views on the Dreamliner, I’m happy Wales got a mention again. The way you said Chanel was funny 😂. Business class looked beautiful on the A350 I’ll never get to experience it but thank you for filming it Noel. The end was perfect everything done for you but good video again.

[@fdanieln8759]

Very nice video Noel! I really like the A350 vs 787-9 comparison. And spot on victory dance at the end for avoiding the immigration line hahaha

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CricketEngland]

Your putting your life at risk these days travelling anywhere on a Boeing aircraft, stick with Airbus in my view

[@chazzbranigaan9354]

​@@CricketEngland boeing has flown roughly 200,000 consecutive commercial flights without a crash since the last max disaster, so how at risk exactly?

[@CricketEngland]

@@chazzbranigaan9354 Have you not read the news recently and their little jaunt into space hasn’t gone issue free either

[@alexocallaghan4009]

Love the video’s, so genuine clearly not getting paid by the airlines. Did a huge binge of basically all your videos ❤️❤️✈️✈️

[@noelphilips]

Thanks so much!!

[@ojosef4608]

I look forwarding to flying Air France A350 - Great video per usual.

[@thismonolife]

Looking forward to flying Business class for the first time in August. We purchased the tickets after selling our house for a move to Australia. But it all fell through at the last minute. So we changed the tickets and are now flying Air France from London to France and then to Mauritius and then Perth.

[@kendrapratt2098]

Sounds like a great adventure!

[@LawlessZ]

Hmmm my fave has to be the Fiji Airways A350 livery it’s gorgeously done! And I love the Tabua cloth pattern on the engine cowlings 😊 I’m a bit spoilt here in NZ seeing it a lot 😊

[@jodipennington4224]

I love it when they include socks! My feet are never warm enough in air! 😀

[@clairedobson2240]

Great boarding from the lounge. Would like to see more lounges doing that. Great video Noel, I do like the 787. Many thanks

[@timmarsh8303]

Noel another great video, really enjoy watch you on your trips around the world, especially when you are reviewing the product, like the amenity kit. I totally agree what’s with the socks they are so thin you could use them to strain freshly squeezed wine. Keep up the great video 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@noelphilips]

Thanks for watching!

[@canzoneri8]

Awesome flights! I dream to fly Air France busness class! Thank you for allowing me to live vicariously through your travels. Looking forward to seeing your travels from Egypt.

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@debramage739]

Everytime I go to the loo, I hear your voice. Can't do the hands but. Thanks Noel. Both beautiful planes.

[@theogalama]

What a treat two loo reviews! 🙏🏻

[@phyllislowry6265]

I lived in Chicago for 12 yrs close to O'Hare & planes flew very low over my condo. We would sit on the deck & watch the planes. They all put their landing gear down right before our condo. During the night, we would sometimes hear the planes from overseas. We lived close to the Blue line EL train & we took the train to O'Hare instead of a taxi. The A350 did look like a little nicer plane but I thought the airline chose how configurations & etc were instead of the type of plane. So now I know. I'm anxious to see where else you are going. Hope Rach is doing well!

[@TheRareVideosXL]

What a fantastic video as always.

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Alexander-vc5wg]

This comparison video is fantastic! You should do more Airbus vs Boeing… some ideas could be BA 777 vs a350, American Airlines Max vs Neo. Or moving away from that idea, perhaps Singapore Airlines a380 vs Qantas a380!

[@samuelmartin707]

Great video Noel!!!! 2 thumbs up my friend!!!!

[@noelphilips]

Thank you 👍

[@slowchevy]

I love seeing our home airport (ORD) in your travels. Wonderful!

[@seven_hundred-seven_hundred]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@jbrown7403]

Nice report. I’m looking forward to flying Business Class on BA from Austin to London on a A350-1000 in a few weeks. 👍

[@donstravelsandrants.]

A great comparison review Noel. I flew home from Vancouver to Dublin on a dream liner, and I thought it was fantastic. Loving your content.👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧🇺🇲

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@corybrown4066]

Great video this week.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

I do prefer the A350 business seat here over the 787 one. More private. Btw I kept watching the FA on the 787 having a look at the camera 😂

[@allisonabbott-kline4765]

I have always loved AirFrance's business class - properly done on an Airbus. My favorite is the A380....

[@kristencarlbon4561]

I always love watching takeoff in real time without being sped up

[@MK_2023.]

Same, I wish he wouldn't edit that part so we could see that it's actually like.

[@twotanks6427]

I flew long haul to Singapore on a Dreamliner recently and i have to say the A350 is quieter and seems more comfortable. Of course the ultimate in space and quietness is the A380. Never had the pleasure of travelling on a 747.

[@johncarter155]

I always enjoy your flight reviews and frequently follow up the Facebook summary with the youtube full program. As others have said, I am a bit disappointed that there wasn't much direct comparison (in either the facebook or the youtube video) between the two aircraft. Both aircraft are known for their higher humidity and lower cabin altitudes. How obvious and/or valuable are those two highly touted features? I think that we're all looking for a feature specific comparison. Thanks in advance!

[@bigmuggs123]

Love it Noel as always. One thing I’ve noticed is you rarely mention turbulence on flights, is it because you’re just used to it or don’t really feel its necessary?

[@steveb1086]

Never been Business on a long haul but looked a great offering from AF 👍 good idea to keep on your time clock - Hope your enjoying being based in Houston

[@757chip3]

I'm glad they clarified you were going to Cairo, Egypt, not Cairo, Illinois...

[@jamesrichardson476]

I had a similar experience arriving in Cairo a few years back. I think most of the big hotels provide a similar "meet and greet" service for their guests, to avoid delays. It is a strange feeling being escorted through various checkpoints that I'm sure you are meant to stop at. Given that it's Egypt, I suspect some baksheesh was involved, somewhere along the line.....

[@mrneal9079]

sounds like a pyramid scheme

[@jamesrichardson476]

@@mrneal9079 😂😂

[@johnrolfe3216]

Great review as always. Love the A350 🎉too. Love the Air France livery and also the livery on Malaysia Airlines A350

[@aslobos]

Love your vids!💖💖

[@noelphilips]

Thank you!

[@rolandnemrutdagi350]

Hello Noel, again a very nice video. As always I like them very well. By the way : I like the socks very much so I can change my socks for the fresh ones. What I never need are the ear plugs or the eye shade. I can sleep also with lights on.

[@mftalbot234]

My first flight on a 787 was to LHR a couple years ago, and it was one of my best flights. It was on Virgin Atlantic from SFO, and the entire experience was first rate. I flew economy plus, and the plane was literally brand new - it actually smelled like a new car, and everything was spotless and shiny and perfect. The A350 is a great plane, but the 787 takes the edge in terms of seamlessness - the entertainment systems are intuitive, and the cabin design seems focused almost enrirely on gibving passengers an enjoyable ride. I love your channel, Noel - it reminds me of why I love flying so much.

[@noelphilips]

Thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoy the channel.

[@sheilaathay2034]

Thanks Noel!😊

[@Gb_469]

One of your best! I’m from Chicago this was fun to watch

[@noelphilips]

Wow, thank you!

[@Racy_michael]

Another great video Noel

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wolfganghofmann3977]

Awesome journey , if KZbin had an awards show like the Oscar’s, you have my vote , your journeys and travels are very entertaining thank you, safe travels bro.😎🍻

[@noelphilips]

Thank you so much 😀

[@michaelb1716]

Not watched yet, I'm just about to start. But my experience of these two aeroplanes as an economy class customer was that the A350 was better. But it was marginal, both are great! Looking forward to this!

[@WhoDeyNati513]

You may be referring to the La Premiere lounge in CDG, which is the ultra premium cabin for Air France long hauls. They have their own special lounge for those that are in that cabin.

[@scott_hanna]

Boy I sure do love me some TSA Precheck ♥ Got it along with Global Entry. Bye bye lines 😊 I also found out in Vancouver that if security in Canada pick you for random advanced screening, once they finish with you they allow you to jump in line with their priority lines. So that was kinda cool, got my laptop swabbed in exchange for not standing in 20+ minute line. I can work with that.

[@gearheadgaming1537]

I’ve flown economy on the 787 and it’s was brilliant out of ORD and flew out of MUN in biz class on a Lufthansa a350; can’t really compare being in business with coach but both were lovely

[@Jeng4280]

I love the fact that you get to fly to all of these wonderful places and review them for audiences. I also love living vicariously through your videos as well. I wish to travel too but I have to save up before hand! I can't imagine the jetlag you must get sometimes going to all of those places too.

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@galaxy98765]

Noel, have you ever stayed at the Sofitel hotel at Heathrow airport? I've stayed there twice, it is very nice, and I had nice views out of the windows with blackout curtains. Both women who work at the online check-in counter were consistently quite rude, but everyone else there is so nice and professional and helpful. And the restaurant just a few feet away is excellent with very nice waiters and waitresses, and the buffet breakfast is amazing. Sofitel is right there at Terminal 5, down an inside hallway. I loved it there. ❤❤❤

[@pab6604]

the socks may help reduce the risk of thrombosis

[@sancalisto2371]

Special sock may, yes. Not these.

[@HarlemOps]

Noel doing the “American Two Step” dance in front of the elevator mirror: priceless…. For everything else, there is the Josh videos… lol…

[@ceevee369]

350 here in Asia. Just more privacy and nicer set-up. CA is gorgeous and luxury . Taking VNA’s 787 in Biz next week from SGN to FRA . Checking if they adhere to what they announce on their site. Biz class must have noise cancellation headphones now ( while I’ve not seen any in all previous reviews)

[@julioc4978]

Great video as always! Which plane is quieter inside the cabin being right next to the turbines? I hate CDG for connections, I prefer AMS . Cheers

[@juniorcampbell2980]

I have flown on the 787 and really love the business class product. I'll be flying on the A350 early next year and will be able to do the comparison myself. The AF 777 I flew on last year was showing its age. AF is refurbishing their 777 which I am looking forward to fly on.

[@savannawanzer]

Love the video now I'm look to see if you have any Asia video where I'm traveling to in March.

[@lucasn1683]

Im also very excited to see what you'll be doing in egypt.. PASair on their q300's or crj's? AirCairo on their new A320neos? AirNile, Egypts biggest private airline? Or maybe something else? 😳😳

[@mita1993]

I really enjoy watching your videos! Hola from San Antonio Texas

[@noelphilips]

Thanks for watching!

[@gilessb]

Really enjoyed this video. The A350 business seat definitely looked better than the B787 equivalent, IMHO.

[@martip2736]

that A350 seat looked really, really cramped :O the best part was that handsome man offering the complimentary service!

[@liamllewellyn8300]

Recently flew the 777 Business Class DXB-CDG. La Premiere was available but chose against the upgrade for this flight due to not feeling comfortable with how open the First Class cabin is compared to other airlines closed cabin products. The Business Class was extremely lacking compared to the product offered on Etihad, Emirates, Singapore but good value for money. Wouldn't actively fly Air France again when I can also use KLM to fly DXB-Cardiff, again, in a superior Business Class product. The A350 looked outstanding though. I think that if Air France want to stay ahead of the game, they need to be investing more in this for their long haul options. Additionally, CDG is a nightmare of an airport for connections. Staying in the Yotel looked like a great idea/experience.

[@Thatguyjack758]

Ayyye, flying out of my city. Air Serbia recently launched service to O’Hare almost a month ago. Can’t wait to see a review from that. Hopefully someone does it at some point. I’ll be flying out of o’hare to Copenhagen on SAS this September.

[@petersonnenberg5449]

Love the channel Noel, as a Captain, it has inspired me to attempt to try to do some vlogging. Maybe a video of your equipment would be interesting.

[@noelphilips]

Thank you! I just added, to my website, a page about all the things I use. You can see it here www.noelphilips.com/mygear

[@petersonnenberg5449]

@@noelphilips many thanks Noel. Your channel keeps me sane in the terrible locations many thanks! Please if your ever in Atlantic Canada hit me up I’ll buy you a proper lobster roll

[@samehanna]

Welcome to Cairo Noel, I am an American Egyptian living in LA , wishing you a pleasant stay in Egypt, a lot of your fans there as well.

[@duncanmcewan1049]

WTH - boarding from the lounge. That's just taking it to another level :)

[@jdeloach9]

So jealous. I took this exact same flight (ORD to CDG) in April and waited an hour to get into the Delta lounge and still had to go back outside to board my flight. I would have loved to board directly from the lounge. But I will say the lounge was well worth the hour wait😊